JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE WEEK B-L3

JOHN 2:13-25

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the moneychangers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture; Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

1. Understand It!

Passover

Jewish holy that celebrates God freeing the Israelites from Egypt.

Moneychangers

People who traded kinds of money from different countries.

Father’s House

Place where God lives like a temple or Church.

Scripture

Sacred writing of the Jews from God.

Temple of His Body

Jesus’ body resurrecting.

2. Explore It! When Jesus entered the Temple, God’s house, He saw people not praying but selling animals like in a supermarket. He cleaned their things and returned the Temple back into a place of worship and house of God. The Jews challenged Jesus to show His power to them. Jesus told the Jews that if they destroy the “temple” He can rebuild it in three days. They thought it was the actual Temple but Jesus was talking about His body and hinting about His resurrection from the dead.

3. Connect It! When you enter God’s House, the Church, do you do others things besides going to mass or praying? In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to keep God’s house clean for the purpose of praying. Next time you go to church, if you see trash, clean it up for God. Make sure you pay attention to mass/prayer so that you can love God more. Another place where God lives is inside our soul. It is the house where Jesus stays, especially after we receive communion. Do you keep yourself free from sins so that Jesus has a clean place to stay? Listen to your parents, teachers and Youth-Leaders, do good deeds like helping your friends and try your best not to sin so that Jesus can stay inside of you.

4. Live It! [ CLEANLINESS ] Cleanliness means being physically clean of dirt, stain, and spiritually of sin. Lent is the perfect time to clean physically and spiritually. There are several things you can do: 1. Make your own house a place worthy of God to live in. Help your parents clean your house especially the places where the cross and Mary are located. 2. Every time you wash your hands, apologize to God for the things that you have done what could have upset God. This will allow you to both clean yourself physically and spiritually.

5. Remember It! “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” (John 2: 16) 6. Live It! Dear Jesus, You love us very much. Thank you for reminding us to keep God’s house clean, please help us to be good and free from sin so that we can keep our souls a beautiful place for You to live inside of us. Amen.

My child has completed the corresponding virtue for this week _____________________ Parent signature